Bai Rong's Curse (2)

"You never give up, don't you... Sister."

A thousand thoughts flew through her mind in a second.

When Bai Rong looked up, there was nothing in her eyes except hatred. "Do not call me that," she coughed. "You... are unfit to be my brother!"

Although Bai Wen was her older brother, standing side by side like they were now, no one would have guessed it.

Mortal life had changed Bai Rong, making her a husk of her former self whereas Bai Wen showed the signs of one born in a family with comfort and riches, whether it was in his clothes or his appearance. He never had to worry a day in his life; she had to worry for her life every second she breathed.

Bai Wen scowled. "Unfit? You were the one born a Devil Lord, tainting our family name, dishonoring our ancestors, destroying our flawless reputation. Because of a monster like you, the Bai Family was nearly eliminated!"

"I am the monster?" she laughed. "At least I didn't kill my own mother!"

The clearing grew deadly quiet. Even the guards who had followed Bai Wen didn't dare to make a sound as their master's face darkened.

Bai Wen grabbed his sister's wrist and twisted it until there was a sickening crack. "Never put the blame on me," he growled. "That woman had no one to blame but herself for giving birth to you!"

Bai Rong pulled her wrist back. Even though it hung limply at her side, she didn't let the pain show on her face as she continued, "So her crime was giving birth? Is that why you let your unborn sibling die along with her?"

The expression on Bai Wen's face twisted into something hideous. The Bai Family guards retreated to a safe distance away and did not even think of eavesdropping.

Every servant knew that the death of Lu Jiu, the first wife of Bai Family's current head, was a forbidden topic. As time went by, she became a stain on the family history that was carefully hidden away. Anyone who knew about the events of that year either kept their mouths sealed or it sealed for them, permanently.

Bai Wen lowered his voice to a dangerous tone. "Enough, Bai Rong! She was not a virtuous wife, so who knew if that baby was a child of Bai Family."

"Ha," Bai Rong scoffed. "You all believed the excuses fed to you! I provided proof of otherwise, but what did you do?"

Bai Wen remained stony.

"What. Did. You. Do."

He angled his sword in one hand.

"Say it!" Bai Rong shouted with her raw throat.

He took the final step forwards. And plunged the blade into Bai Rong's stomach.

The blood Bai Rong spat out landed on his face, on his hands, on his immaculate white robe. But it was as if Bai Wen didn't feel it when he answered her.

"I killed them," he whispered. "Just like I killed you."

Bai Rong smiled, a bloody scene.

She remembered that day. She always will. She remembered the red, red blood flowing like a river.

"You, my closest sibling... My elder brother of the same parents..." said Bai Rong, her voice weak yet unwavering. "Bai Wen, you... are the real monster..."

Bai Wen knelt down next to her and leaned over to smooth the stray hair over her forehead. He did that all the time when they were children. It was his way of comforting her or soothing her to sleep.

His palm no longer felt warm like it used to, though. Now, his touch sent shivers of disgust down her skin.

Bai Rong saw the gleam of tears in his eyes and she felt light. She knew that lightness—felt it when she sent her Phantom Snake to torment Lin Jun. The feeling of winning even though she had lost.

Bai Rong raised a hand shakily and touched her brother's cheek. "Wen Wen," she called him that childhood nickname. "I feel so sleepy. Can you tell me a story?"

Bai Wen shook his head softly, so she tugged his sleeve. "I want to tell you something..."

A teardrop fell onto Bai Rong's face. It felt cold. Bai Wen leaned closer until his ear was next to her lips.

That was when Bai Rong moved her other hand and stabbed her dagger through his stomach and up into his ribs.

Her palm was still cupping Bai Wen's gaping face as she said softly in a voice that sounded like the grim reaper's, "How did it feel when you killed Mother?"

Bai Wen's eyes were still wide as Bai Rong pushed him away and closed her eyes.

The Bai Family guards were chaotically shouting orders now that they realized their leader was hurt. Nobody checked to see if she was completely dead—they all rushed to heal their master and take him away.

When they were gone, Bai Rong's eyelashes fluttered and she opened her eyes. Her fingers moved in the grass, drawing something with her blood. She didn't have much time left. Yin Xue... Why hadn't Yin Xue returned yet?